Clamping or holding device



(No Model.) f G. B. ADAMS. GLAMPING 0R HOLDING DEVICE.

No. 580,103. Patented Apr. 6, 189'7.

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WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. ADAMS, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE WVHITEHEAD & HOAG COMPANY, OF NElV JERSEY.

CLAMPING OR HOLDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 580,103, dated. April 6, 1897.

Application filed January 20, 1897. Serial No. 619,941. (No modeL) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Irvington, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamping or Holding Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to the general class of clamping or fastening devices which are to be put to several uses, such as scarf-holders, garment-supports, stamp or coin cases, or the like; and the invention has for its primary object to provide devices of this character comprising therein a holding portion made in the manner of a button-like shell or casing having an inwardlycurved rim or bead, and a wire arranged beneath said'rim or bead and held therein by spring-contact, and a pivotally-arranged plate forming either the grasping-jaw of a scarf-holder, garmentsupport, or the lid of a stamp or coin case in operative contact or engagement with said button-like holding portion, and a springtongue connected with said wire and held in said shell or casing, thereby resulting in the production of a cheap, simple, and novel article of manufacture adapted to be put to many uses.

A further object of this invention is to provide in connection with a clamping or fastening device of the nature hereinabove set forth a holding portion forming a shell or casing, having a covering of a plastic material, such as celluloid or the like, which may be provided with an inscription, picture, or design, said shell having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, around which the edge of said material is forced and held between the same, and means in the back or chamber-like part of said shell to secure said material in position therein.

The invention consists in the novel arrangements and combinations of the parts to be hereinafter fully described, and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view, and Fig. 2 a back view, of a holding-clasp made according to the principles of my present invention. Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 a longitudinal vertical section, of the clasp. Fig. 5 is a back view of a coin or stamp case embodying the leading features of my present invention. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the saine,illustratiu g the pivotally-arranged plate forming the lid in its closed position in contact with the back of the button-like shell or casing of the device; and Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating said pivotallyarranged plate in its open relation to the said shell or casing. Fig. 8 is a back View of still another form of device of a slightly-modified form of construction, but still embracing the principles of my invention; and Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Figs. 10 and 11 are a back view and longitudinal vertical section of still another modified form of construction. Fig. 12 is a back view of a Window or display hook made according to my present invention, and Fig. 13 is a side view of the same.

Similar letters of reference are employed in all of the above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In said drawings, a indicates a metallic and ornamental shell or casing of any desirable configuration in outline forming with an inwardly-projecting marginal rim or bead a, with which said button-like shell or casing is provided, a holding portion having a suitable chamber in the back thereof. Upon the face of said shell or casing may be arranged a flexible covering a preferably of celluloid or the like, which may be provided in the usual manner with any suitable inscription, picture, design, emblem, or the like. The

annular edge a of said covering a as will be seen from the several figures of the drawings, is arranged over and underneath said marginal rim or bead a, where it is pulled taut and held fast by a suitably-constructed reinforcing ring or collet b, which is preferably made with a curved and inwardly-projecting portion 12, forming a suitable annular flange on said ring or collet, substantially as illustrated, and which is arranged and secured beneath said rim or head a in the usual manner during the process of striking up the parts in a die or in any other well-known manner. In the said chambered portion of the shell or casing a is arranged a suitably-bent springwire 0, formed at its one free end with the coils c and having the holding or retaining portion 0 arranged beneath and in holding spring-contact with the said annular rim or bead a of the shell or casing or with the flange b of the ring or collet b. The opposite free end 0 of said wire is then bent at an angle to the portion 0 and inserted into said coils 0, whereby the wire is suitably fixed in its operative position in the back of the shell or casing 0;. A spring-plate d may be arranged in said shell or casing (L, as shown in Fig. 4, adapted to firmly force the holding portion 0 of the wire 0 against the inner surface of the flange b of the ring or collet Z2 to more securely hold said spring-wire in its operative position in the chambered portion of said shell or casing; but the use of said plate (1 is not essential and may be dispensed with. As will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the coils c of said wire 0 terminate in a backwardly and outwardly extending spring-tongue 0*. As will be seen from said figures, eindicates a suitable back-plate provided with a' pair of ears 6, which are suitably bent and then forced into the opposite ends of the coils c to form pivots for connecting said plate 6 with the wire 0, and pivotally arranging said back-plate in connection with the said shell or casin g a, forming the other holding portion of the device. The free end of the said wire 0, forming the spring-tongue c, is in operative engagement with the under surface of a finger portion 6. of said plate 6 and normally causes the grasping contact between the portions e and the annular edge or bead of the said shell or casing.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 I have illustrated a device made according to my invention, which can be used either as a clasp or a stamp or coin case. In this construction the casing or shell a is similar to that hereinabove described, but the ring or collet b is provided with an enlarged plate-like portion having an opening Z2 and a connecting bar-like portion or piece Z)". In place of the plate 6 employed in the construction illustrated in Fig. 4 I use the plate 6 (shown in Fig. 5,) which is provided with one or more tongues 6 adapted to be bent around the bar-like portion b thereby forming a lid operatively hinged and pivotally arranged in connection with the back of said shell or casing a. Said plate 6 is also provided with a downwardlyextending finger or projection e, which is in operative sliding contact with a :j-shaped spring plate or tongue f, held or secured in its proper position by a spring-wire c arranged and held in spring-contact beneath the inwardly-curved edge or rim ct of the shell or casing Ct. Said finger or projection c is suitably curved in order thatwhen the lid is closed, as indicated in Fig. 6, the spring action of the tongue f is such that the forward edge portion 6 of said plate e will be forced in firm holding contact with the annular head or rim a, whereby the device can be used as a clasp or a coin or stamp case, as will be clearly evident, or when the plate 6 is raised, as indicated in Fig. 7, then said spring-tongue f will retain said plate in its raised position. Inplace of said spring-tongue f the said spring-wire 0 may have a spring-tongue c in operative engagement with the finger or projection e on the plate 6 to retain said plate in its closed or raised position. The arrangement and construction of these parts are clearly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, and the operation thereof will be clearly evident from an inspection of said figures.

In Figs. 10 and' 11 I have provided nieplate 6 with an opening 6 the spring-wire 0 being formed with an upwardly-extending portion 0 and a holding-loop 0 over which the plate 6 can be forced to cause the curved portion of said loop 0 to come in holding contact with the holding portion 2 directly in front of said opening e as will be clearly evident. Said loop portion 0 of the wire a is also provided with a forwardly extending curved portion c", adapted to form a pushpiece arranged between the annular edge or bead a of the shell or casing a and the under surface of said plate 6 said portion resting and sliding in a suitable slot or opening in the ring or collet Z? to permit the plate 6 to lie in close contact with the annular edge or head a of the shell or casing a, as will be clearly evident. A spring-tongue 0 similar to the tongue c used in connection with the wire illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, is arranged in operative engagement with the back of the plate e and is employed to force said plate open when the loop 0 is disengaged from the holding portion 6 on the plate e by means of a push on said push or finger piece 0 connected with said springwire, as will be clearly evident from an inspection of said Figs. 10 and 11.

In some cases I may take the construction of clamp illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 and continue the wire above the device by forming integrally with the spring-tongue cflwhich is in operative contact with the back of the plate (2, a wire portion 0 terminating in-a hook-like portion 0 for suspending the device from a rod in a store-window or behind a counter to displaythe goods which are held between the plate 6 and the rim or head a of said shell or casing a, all of which is clearly illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. Thus it will be seen that this device can be used as awindow or display hook, the face of the shell or casing dbeing adapted for use to designate the manufacture and the price of the goods displayed.

From the above description of the several figures of the drawings it will be evident that I have devised a simply-constructed holding device adapted to be put to many uses such as scarf-holders, garment-supports, coin or stamp cases, &c.the casing or shell being preferably covered with celluloid or other plastic material bearing an inscription, design, emblem, or the like, which enhances the beauty of the device and prevents any wear on the garment. Furthermore, the shell or casing being covered with plastic material these parts of the device cannot become tarnished with constant handling.

I am fully aware that many changes may be made in the arrangements and combinations of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention. Hence I do not limit my present invention to the exact arrangements and combinations and details of construction of the parts hereinabove shown and described.

IIaving thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a clamping or fastening device, a holding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead and a wire held therein by spring-contact, a pivotally-arranged back-plate in operative contact with the back of said shell or casing, and a spring-tongue connected with said wire and in engagement with said back-plate, substan tially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a clamping or fastening device, a holding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, a ring or collet b in said shell or casing, having an inwardly-extending annular flange b, a wire arranged beneath said flange and held therein by spring-contact, a pivotally-arranged backplate in operative contact with the back of said shell or casing, and a spring-tongue connected with said wire and in engagement with said back-plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. Inaclamping orfastening device, aholding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, and a flexible covering arranged over said shell having its edges turned down over said rim or bead, a wire arranged beneath said rim or bead, and held therein by spring-contact, a pivotally-arranged back-plate in operative contact with the back of said shell or casing, and a spring-tongue connected with said wire and in engagement with said back-plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a clamping or fastening device, a holding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, and a flexible covering arranged over said shell having its edges turned down over said rim or bead, a ring or collet b in said shell or casing, having an inwardlyextending annular flange b, a wire arranged beneath said flange,

- and held therein by spring-contact, a pivotally-arranged back-plate in operative contact with the back of said shell or casing, and a spring-tongue connected with said wire and in engagement with said back-plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a clamping or holding device, aholding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, a wire arranged beneath said rim or bead, and held therein by spring-contact, a cooperating backplate, forming a grasping-jaw, having ears pivotally secured to said wire, and a springtongue adapted to cause a holding contact between said back-plate and said shell or casing, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a clamping or holding device, a holding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, a ring or collet b in said shell or casing, having an inwardly-extending annular flange b, a Wire arranged beneath said flange and held therein by spring-contact, a cooperating back-plate forming a grasping-j aw, having ears pivotally secured to said wire, and a springtongue adapted to cause a holding contact between said back-plate and said shell or casing, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

'7. In a clamping or holding device, a holding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, and a flexible covering arranged over said shell having its edges turned down over said rim or bead, a wire arranged beneath said rim or bead and held therein by spring-contact, a cooperating back-plate, forming a graspin g-j aw, having ears pivotally secured to said wire, and a spring-tongue adapted to cause a holding contact between said back-plate and said shell or casing, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a clamping or fastening device, a holding portion, consisting of a shell or casing having an inwardly-curved rim or bead, and a flexible covering arranged over said shell having its edges turned down over said rim or bead, a ring or collet b in said shell or casing, having an inwardly extending annular flange b, a wire arranged beneath said flange and held therein by spring-contact, a cooperatingback-plate, forming a grasping-j aw, having ears pivotally secured to said wire, and a spring-tongue adapted to cause a holding contact between said back-plate and said shell or casing, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of January, 1897.

GEO. B. ADAMS.

Witnesses: v

FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL, WM. H. CAMFIELD, Jr.

IIO 

